William H. Markham, 48, of Reddick, Florida, died July 28, 2017, after a violent early-morning altercation on Northwest Gainesville Road with 56-year-old Harrell S. Jeffries, also of Reddick. According to Jeffries, Markham attacked him with a wooden object described as a bat or tobacco stick and accused him of having a relationship with Markham’s girlfriend. Jeffries sustained injuries to his hand, head, and other parts of his body and retrieved a pistol, firing multiple shots that struck Markham twice in the left forearm and three times in the left side of his back. Markham was taken to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville and pronounced dead; Jeffries received treatment and was released.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office searched the scene and interviewed witnesses; investigators reported that physical evidence matched Jeffries’ account. The State Attorney’s Office concluded Jeffries acted in self-defense and did not file charges. Markham was a North Marion High School graduate who lived with his parents, managed a horse farm, worked around the family’s 180-acre property, and left behind a 16-year-old son. Does anyone in the Reddick area remember that night or have information about the events leading up to the confrontation?